Summary: I am VERY picky about bikes, and have owned a lot of high-end gear. The 1885 is a wonderful frame and fork set. Stiff enough to climb and spring well, but soaks up road shock well with the CF fork and wishbone seatstay.
If you buy this bike, stay away from the cheaper Shimno component versions and spring for a full Campy Veloce equipped version. Mine has Campy Khamsin G3 wheels tht are a bit heavy, but are surely bombproof, and the Veloce gruoppe brakes and shifts better than Shimano or SRAM gear at twice the price.
Strengths: Stiffness with reasonable comfort, excellent price, great build with the Campy version.
Weaknesses: A bit heavy, but what do you xpect for a CF/aluminum frame. I could cut 2 pounds easily off this by changing the wheels, the cassette and saddle, with more weight to be saved by changing the seatpost, stem and bars.
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Bike Setup: 2008 Bianchi 1885 Hydro Carbon Veloce, stock (except for replacement seatpost clamp). NB Price paid was £1000 not dollars.
Summary: I have to say, I've always had a major lust for Bianchi bikes but this is the first one I have owned. I'm relieved that it is so good. My model sits at the bottom of the B4P range that bridges the gap between the full on race HC range and the sportif styled C2Cs, and it does an admirable job for its intended purpose, It's comfortble in 150 mile rides and responsive and agile in sprints and decents. The Veloce groupset is very nice, the hoods are comfortable and the shifts are precise. The crankset is admirably stiff, the brakes are powerful and confidence inspiring. The carbon wrapped bar and stem look the part and function well. Whilst the carbon seatpost adds to the comfort the seatclamp doesn't offer a great deal of micro adjustment for tilt, so my saddle nose seems either slightly too high or too low. The seatclamp was also not man enough to stop the post slipping but a replacement was cheap enough.
The Khamsin wheels may not be the lightest out there but the are tough and stiff.
I've marked the value down at 4. If you are purely interested in bang for your buck there are probably better deals to be had. But, if you are prepared to spend a little extra you'll be getting an Italian made frame with all the glamour and romance that brings, and for me, that was worth paying for.
Strengths: A great package, comfortable agile and responsive.
Weaknesses: Not the best seatpost or seatclamp.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale R600, Giant Bowery
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Summary: This is my first "real" road bike and I can't get enough of it. If you are not a hardcore racer, this one is a real bang for your buck. Very responsive steering, with carbon ITM wing handlebars, stem and fork. Stiff frame make it a well mannered climber. Stock 105 components do the job but deserves a future up-grade.
Strengths: Great value. Still handmade Italian Frame.
Weaknesses: Bit heavy but nothing to complain.
Similar Products Used: None
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Bike Setup: Campy Veloce gruppo
Beautiful Black frame with large white graphics - very minimal. Celeste touches, eg. the celeste unoottoottocinque (1885 in Italian)on the top tube is a beautiful touch.
Campy Khamsin wheelset
Campy Record seatpost (couldn't resist)
Look Keo Carbon pedals
Summary: I love this bike. I am the maniac riding crazier than the insane cab drivers in downtown Seoul on my way to the nearest mountain or the Han River. I recognize that this is not your $6-8K uber machine. BUT - I love the machine!
Strengths: The frame is very stiff. I like the way the bike responds to my sprinting on the flats. As someone said in a previous posting, the bike is bombproof on descents with pinpoint steering. The carbon fork, stays and now my recently added Record carbon Seatpost does much to soften the ride.
Weaknesses: The stock alloy w/ carbon covered seatpost was a bit of a dud - a pain to adjust the saddle angle. Price in Seoul. Bianchis tend to be overpriced in Korea as the natives have an appreciation of venerable lineages such as Bianchi, Campagnolo, Mercedes, BMW, Cartier, etc....
Similar Products Used: Vintage Trek circa 1983 - long period of hibernation
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Bike Setup: Stock component setup with Shimano 105 plus an Ultegra Cassette.
Mavic Aksium wheelset.
Summary: Celeste/White 2008 Model.
The 1885 is one of those dream bikes that simply becomes an extension of your body.
The Alu/Carbon frame feels very stiff, and with a semi-carbon cockpit takes the bite out of road vibrations while still allowing one to 'feel the road'. The frame geometry provides for an exceptionally smooth transition between being seated and hammering out of the saddle, but can be a bit straining on the neck on longer descents. Having said that, if one knows how to corner properly the 1885 whips through switchbacks like a razor and makes potentially terrifying 65+km/h descents actually enjoyable.
I think weight is a non-issue with this bike. I had the 1885 put on a scale at the shop and it weighed in at only about 15g heavier than the full carbon C2C 928 with the same components. Frankly, at this level of quality a full water bottle will nullify any weight advantages anyway. Think about making your body stronger rather than being a gram-fanatic.
The stock components on my 1885 are not the best, but they are more than adequate for serious riding.
I set the value rating at 3 because of the price I paid for the bike here in Japan. Imported high performance bikes are generally more expensive in Japan compared to North America or the EU.
Strengths: A highly responsive all-round workhorse with aggressive geometry.
Weaknesses: Aggressive frame geometry can cause neck pain on longer descents in the drops.
Although the stock Mavic Aksium wheels are stiff, they tend to creak on ascents which can get annoying. Also, due to the use of aero spokes cross-winds become very noticeable.
The stock Shimano 105 components are adequate, but leave room for improvement.
This is a minor detail, but the Bianchi emblem on the front of the bike was peeling off in the shop. Nothing a little super-glue couldn't fix, but it's a reminder that one should always check over the whole bike in detail before forking over the wad of cash.
Similar Products Used: 2000 Specialized Allez Comp (Alu frame with full 9 speed Ultegra setup)
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